“This cow, named Defeating Heroes, is 3 years old and was a gift from my father.
There are two sons. My brother and I. I respected my father so he gave me the cow. My father called the family and gave me the cow, my brother wasn’t angry and I was very honored with the gift of the cow.
Since he gave it to me I can do whatever I want.
I still have another, the child of this cow. So I’ve chosen to sell this one and buy a parcel of land. The land will be more useful than having two cows. Here you need land to cultivate and feed the family
We’ll sell the cow and bring beer to father to thank him, then I will go and buy land. I have his permission and he knows that I will sell the cow.
The cow will bring 250,000 Rwandan francs or $375.00.”
Cattle are sold on the road before they reach the auction site in Kivuruga, Rwanda. Photo by Brendan Bannon. March 5, 2014